Delhi High Court Declines to Entertain Plea by Journalists Seeking Public Access to RTI Act Hearings

The Delhi High Court refused to hear a plea by journalists seeking public access, physical or virtual, to Central Information Commission (CIC) hearings under the RTI Act, 2005. 

The petitioners argued that transparency demands open hearings, and in-camera sessions harm civic participation. They said they had already requested CIC for access but received no response.

The Court advised them to first approach CIC again with a formal representation and noted that a related issue is already pending before the Supreme Court.

To avoid multiple proceedings, the Court suggested joining the case before the SC and disposed of the current petition accordingly. (Saurav Das & Ors v CIC)